Minella Charmer 11/8 @ Plumpton

Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Sunday; Minella Charmer in the Plumpton 13:40. Compare odds and bet.

There are plenty of smart novices on show on Sunday, with Shaneshill and Bellshill bidding to win the novice chase and Grade 1 novice hurdle, respectively, for Willie Mullins, Andrea & Graham Wylie, and Ruby Walsh.

On the domestic front, Theo’s Charm ought to be difficult to beat at Plumpton, but he is another likely to be priced up accordingly, as will chasing debutant L’Ami Serge, who makes his belated reappearance for Nicky Henderson.

The Supreme Novices’ fourth looks potential Arkle material to me and, should he win well here, he could easily be second-favourite in that market. Given that the imperious Douvan will scare a lot off come March, that race could easily cut up to a handful of runners, so the 14-1 makes some each-way appeal at this stage.

Back to today and Clondaw Cian is another likely to be popular in the market, on the back of his fourth in a Grade 2 at Sandown, but Minella Charmer (1:40) caught the eye on his debut over hurdles and can give Suzy Smith’s runner a race, in receipt of 6lbs.

Alan King’s five-year-old moved well behind the exciting Born Survivor at Warwick and pulled nine lengths clear of a fair yardstick back in third. A reproduction of that effort should see him go close in most novice hurdles and he can put it up to the probable market leader here.

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Three of last years Leading Prospects went on to win at Cheltenham:

Don Poli

Faugheen

Vautour

Champion Bumper winner, Moon Racer, and the unbeaten Minella Rocco – both featured in the ‘Under The Hammer’ (sales) section of the book